Outlaws smash 400 barrier again at Trent Bridge

IN PICTURE: Notts County Cricket Club 2016: Royal London kit: Michael Lumb.
STORY: SPORT LEAD: Notts County Cricket Club Team /Pen pictures for season 2016. Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, West Bridgford, Nottingham.
PHOTOGRAPHER: MARK FEAR

Published:09:59Thursday 09 June 2016

Notts Outlaws smashed the 400 barrier for the second time in the week as they defeated Warwickshire by 36 runs in their Royal London One-Day Cup tie at Trent Bridge.

After hitting 445 in Monday’s win over Northants, the home side were at it again with another colossal contribution after being put in, thanks in part to their openers putting on 178 for the first wicket.

Michael Lumb made 133 and Riki Wessels hit 76, scores that were then backed up by Greg Smith’s 73 and Dan Christian’s brutal 94 as the Outlaws realised 415 for five after being asked to bat first.

Rikki Clarke was the only frontline bowler to spare severe punishment, returning figures of two for 45 from his 10 overs. Clarke also sent down the only maiden, something not seen in the 99 overs of mayhem earlier in the week.

Wessels hit seven fours and two sixes in his run-a-ball effort, which ended when he tamely miscued Richard Jones to Clarke at mid off.

Lumb powered on and followed his 184 against the Steelbacks with an 88-ball century, comprising nine fours and three sixes. He was eventually bowled by Clarke, who swiftly delivered the same fate to Brendan Taylor.

Smith and Christian put on 141 together, with the Australian hitting the first two balls of the final over for six before lifting Oliver Hannon-Dalby into the hands of midwicket when looking to reach his century. His 94 came from only 47 balls with eight fours and six sixes.

Samit Patel applied the final flourish to the innings, with an unbeaten 17 from only five deliveries.

Having conceded their highest limited overs score, Warwickshire fought back bravely to post their own highest total against a first class county, before being bowled out in the final over for 379.

Jonathan Trott led the charge, playing a defiant, battling knock of 100. The former England international scored his runs from 93 balls, with nine fours and two sixes and whilst he was at the crease with Ian Bell an unlikely upset seemed possible.

The pair put on 95 for the third wicket, with Bell making 60 – but Steven Mullaney removed them both on his way to taking three for 81.

Support for Trott and Bell came from Sam Hain, who followed the hundred he had made 24 hours earlier by hitting 69 and Tim Ambrose, who reached 50 in only 28 deliveries before falling for 73.

Harry Gurney had Ambrose caught at mid off and also dismissed Ateeq Javid and Jeetan Patel on his way to taking figures of three for 58, the best of the day.

Notts have now won both of their opening fixtures and are already handily situated to qualify out of the North Group, whilst Warwickshire’s defeat leaves them with just two points from three matches played.

Notts director of cricket Mick Newell said: “The first thing we should say is that we’ve seen a magnificent pitch, so all credit to the groundsman. He’s given us a fantastic surface for one-day cricket and a fantastic outfield.

“When we racked up on Monday we had no idea that we were going to score over 440. You look at it, see it’s a sunny nice and a good track and take it from there. We thought 320 was a par score both days but we’ve gone way past that.

“What we must say is that both teams we’ve played have chased hard abd given us something to work on. I’ve no idea where 50 over is going to go.”

Notts captain Dan Christian added: “The boys have been outstanding up top in both games, they’ve enabled myself and the rest of the guys to come out and play with complete freedom. Both Monday and today they put on awesome partnerships, so all credit to them.”